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Integrity:
Intention or Action?
All of us
INTEND to have integrity.
When you ask anyone, “Do you have
integrity?” they all say and feel that they do. Don’t you?
Integrity is key to character; we all want to have integrity.
We all want to have character. But we all know of people and
situations where their integrity doesn’t match their intention…
·
The grocery store
shopper who knows he or she has 22 items and still goes through
the express checkout.
·
The parent who
lies about a child’s age to buy a reduced priced ticket.
·
The business
person who believes he is honest yet tweaks the books to enhance
his company’s position
The
difference between wanting to have integrity and having
integrity is action. Your actions are your character.
This is what people see. This is what children learn. This is
what employers value. Your actions validate your integrity.
Why do so
many peoples’ intentions and actions differ? There are
propabaly as many answers as there are people… It may have to
do with our fast paced society, economics pressures, disdain for
“the rules,” whether or not they think they’ll be caught,
personal exemption or just laziness. Regardless, we witness
these mismatches of integrity and intention almost daily.
To have
integrity, your words, beliefs about yourself and your actions
must match.
If you
believe that you are honest, then be honest.
If you
believe that you are law abiding, then be law abiding
If you
believe that you are trustworthy, then be trustworthy.
Your
actions will document your integrity…
·
Don’t use the
handicapped space when you are not handicapped.
·
Be loyal to your
spouse in thought word and deed.
·
Keep a confidence.
Be who you
want to be, don’t just think who you want to be.. And sometimes
only you know whether you’ve violated your intentions. It
doesn’t matter who is watching; it matters that you know. It
matters that your actions match your intentions.
So, Don’t
“intend to,” the next time. Live your intentions. Every day.
This is
what will differentiate you from others. This is what will set
you apart.
Copyright,
Marsha D. Egan, CPCU, PCC, President The Egan Group, Inc. Marsha is a certified executive coach and professional
speaker, specializing in leadership development and positive
change.
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